Pinch Me, I'm Polish

Pinstriped vest, H&M. Green satin blouse, Express. Gray bubble skirt, Moda International. Gray peeptoe pumps, Bitten ($8.98!) Faux pearl necklace with medallion, Newport News. Black boy’s belt. Gold watch, Raymond Weil.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Despite appearances, I am not a bit Irish. I’m English, German, and Polish. My red hair is courtesy of L’Oreal, not O'Sullivan. I can do an Irish accent for you, but a native would probably find it laughable.

For a while this past fall, I was putting items from my wardrobe on trial to get my readers’ opinions on whether I should keep it, alter it, swap it, or give it to charity. One commenter one had the gall to suggest I put this necklace on trial. Never! I adore it. I’ve found it to be the finishing touch to many outfits, despite Mike’s description of it as “grandma.”

And finally, a word on today’s belt. (No, it isn’t another belt week.) Over the course of the day, I found myself vacillating between liking and not liking the belt. Liked: visually raised waist, highlighted the slimmest part of my midsection, tidied up of the open vest (otherwise it flapped around), and added interest. Didn’t like: fussy look, two waistlines (belt and skirt waist), the way it creaked when I took a deep breath. I don’t regret the choice, I just don’t know if I’d repeat it in exactly this manner.